We’ve known for what feels like a million years that Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen) would be showing up in Star Wars: Ahsoka. What’s not been totally clear is what form his presence would take: Force Ghost Ani? Flashbacks? As Darth Vader, like in Obi-Wan Kenobi?
But the latest teaser for the upcoming series shows us Christensen, in full Clone Wars-era Anakin style, and it is clear the actor has been doing his homework. And by this I mean: This is like watching live-action Clone Wars and Rebels at the same time, and I am entirely here for it.
The Anakin Skywalker of the prequel trilogy had many roles to play, but none of them was as a Jedi Master with a padawan. Taking on that role in Clone Wars brought out something different in him, something we never otherwise get to see. And here it is, on screen—or rather, in voiceover.
We get one look at a clearly digitally de-aged Christensen, but then the teaser shifts to familiar Ahsoka footage that takes on a new vibe as his voice continues in the background. Even as she says that she walked away from him and the Jedi Order, he’s there, giving her a pep talk; the impression is that she carries her former master’s voice in her head, even after facing him as Darth Vader.
From “I won’t always be there to look out for you” to “I know you can do this, Ahsoka,” Christensen has nailed the version of Anakin we saw in The Clone Wars, and I for one can’t wait to see how that plays out in live-action. This, plus the emotional arc of Ahsoka (Rosario Dawson) and her own neglected apprentice, Sabine (Natasha Liu Bordizzo), looking for their lost friend Ezra (Eman Esfandi)? I’m preparing to be emotionally destroyed, to tell you the truth.
Ahsoka premieres August 23rd on Disney+.
